Two Tennessee wide receivers ranked top five as breakout candidates in college football
Ahead of the season opener, Billy Tucker of ESPN released top 10 rankings for second-year breakout candidates in college football for 2025. Tennessee sophomore Mike Matthews and redshirt freshman Braylon Staley are tied and ranked No. 5 by ESPN as second-year breakout candidates.
Matthews appeared in 11 games for the Vols in 2024. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound wide receiver recorded seven receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns, while totaling 32 kick return yards. Matthews totaled a season-high for receiving yards (35) against Kent State. His longest reception in 2024 was 25 yards versus UTEP.
Staley appeared in four games at Tennessee in 2024. The 6-foot, 190-pound wide receiver recorded three receptions for 21 yards. He played in games against Kent State, Mississippi State, UTEP and Ohio State, earning a redshirt.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin (1), Michigan running back Jordan Marshall (2), Georgia cornerback Ellis Robinson (3) and Miami wide receiver Joshisa Trader (4) are ranked ahead of Matthews and Staley.
More: Predicting every loss for SEC football teams in 2025
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